Randlinhomes...giving help and hope to our veterans.
CALLING
ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN, ESPECIALLY VETERANS
Randlin
Homes is embarking on a new venture! We moved our Gallery of Hope to
our 1006 N. 6th
St Store!! Artists will
then be encouraged to sell their art at the store on consignment.
The
store will also feature a coffee bar, furniture, housewares,
collectibles, antiques, lightly used clothes, toys and more.
All
proceeds will be used to fund the Reintegration Assistance Program
for Homeless/displaced Veterans and others who are seeking to become
self-sufficient by learning new skills while they help the community
at the same time.
Randlin
Homes is a 501(c) (3) that survives almost entirely from sales at our
Stores at 1006 North 6th
Street, and our New Store at the coner of Bridge Street and First Avenue.
For
more information email randlinhomes@charter.net
or call 715-298-3700.
MARINE HELPS HOMELESS VETERANS WHILE $100,000 IS BEING STOLEN FROM HIS HOME
by Linda Larson Schlitz
The Veterans at Randlin Homes, a homeless veterans program in North Central Wisconsin, were honored the first time by Kurt Gray at their 2010 Veterans Day Flag raising. With other members of Rolling Thunder, Kurt, (far right) assisted in the donation and raising of the American and POW Flags.
Since that time Kurt has continued to support Randlin Homes through donating items and shopping at their stores as well as telling others about the great deals they can get when frequenting Randlin's ever changing inventory of quality furniture and other items.
In October, Kurt invited Randlin Homes President, Linda Larson Schlitz to the Marine Ball in Wausau, WI to receive a $500 donation that the Marine Ball Committee had collected for Randlin's Homeless Veteran Program.
Kurt Gray, Linda Larson Schlitz & Dan Schultz
Linda invited 20 year Marine Veteran Dan Schultz who has been living in Randlin's transitional program since June of 2010. Dan, a leader in the agency, was glad to be with his comrades once again and honored to join Linda in receiving the donation.
Upon arriving Kurt informed Dan and Linda that not only would Randlin be receiving $500 from the Marine Ball but he had also gotten $1000 donation from the "Man of Honor Society" and "Kryshaks Jewelers" had donated a diamond necklace that would be raffled off and Randlin would be receiving the proceeds. When the evening was over, Randlin Homes left with $1853 and several raffle items that were received when fellow veteran Larry Holtz offered a string of tickets so they could join in the raffle competitions.
It was a grand evening until we learned that while Kurt was so generously giving himself at the Marine Ball to his fellow Marines and Randlin Homes his home was being ransacked and he came home to over $100,000 in heirlooms, collectibles, guns and treasures from his grandfather missing. Our hearts went out to Kurt at this most difficult time but there wasn't much we could do to show our appreciation and support.
Then we had an idea. Another veteran donated a fully decorated REAL Christmas tree to use on our float in the local Christmas Parade. It was a beautiful tree and we had decided to pass it on to a veteran outside of Randlin who may appreciate it. Though there may have been many others more needy, we couldn't think of anyone more deserving of our gratitude than Kurt to receive Randlin's Christmas Tree of Hope. The Tree of Hope is intended to let him know that we will continue to pray that somehow, someway, some day some of his precious valuables will be returned to him and he will know that at least for us at Randlin Homes, his giving has not gone unnoticed.
As we reflect on the real meaning of Christmas and the gift that God gave us that day in Bethlehem from a couple who had no where else to go but a stable, let us remember that God also gave us these soldiers who have sacrificed as Christ did for our freedom. There are many of them are at Randlin Homes who have no family to go to, no money for even a cup of coffee and at times, little hope for the future. Many more are still homeless. Kurt doesn't forget his fallen comrades, and we will not forget him. May God bless you Kurt as you have blessed us! You will never be forgotten! Semper Fi!
If you have any information about this terrible crime, please report it to Marathon County Crime Stoppers.
